Advertise on podcast: Behind the Needle

The fastest way to earn a patient’s trust isn’t a discount or a perfect Instagram feed. According to nurse practitioner Jennifer Lieb, it’s telling them no. In this episode, we sit down with nurse practitioner Jennifer Lieb, owner of Lively Aesthetics in Monticello, Illinois, and a national trainer for Allergan and Revance. After 16 years in nursing, Jennifer shares how she runs a small concierge practice built on honesty, subtle results, and human connection. We also dig into the safety science behind Botox, the rise of ultrasound in aesthetics, and whether AI can ever replace the personal touch clients are looking for. This episode is for injectors, med spa owners, and marketers who want to grow without losing the trust that keeps clients coming back. In this episode: Why Jennifer posted about her cancellation and late policies, what the viral reaction revealed, and why lost appointment time is nothing like lost retail inventoryHow the aesthetic industry has shifted since she entered it through a plastic surgery practice around 2015, and what the “Zoom boom” did to public acceptanceWhy patients now arrive at consultations more educated on brands, unit amounts, and procedures, and how that changes the conversationOur take on using conversational AI to respond to leads instantly, and Jennifer’s skepticism toward “AI slop” and template-heavy social contentWhy she’s choosing to keep Lively Aesthetics a team of five and protect culture over aggressive expansion Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Lively Aesthetics: https://lively-aesthetics.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Jennifer Lieb: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferlieb.np/?hl=en Lively Aesthetics: https://www.instagram.com/the.lively.aesthetics

She was the client who got pushed toward treatments she didn't need. Now she runs the med spa that refuses to do it to anyone else. Ashley Winkler went from stay-at-home mom to CEO of LUX Med Spa after a fascination with skincare, sparked while living in Japan, met the confidence boost she felt from Botox after having three children. She opened her doors in April 2024 with one rule: never become the kind of med spa that once pushed her toward treatments she didn't need. In this episode of Behind the Needle, we sit down with Ashley to unpack how trust, transparency, and ethical recommendations became the foundation of her growth. She shares why she insists on consultations for every new client, why she'll refer someone elsewhere if LUX can't deliver the result they want, and how unedited before-and-afters and community giveback days have done the work of a marketing budget. Ashley also pulls back the curtain on LUX|WINK, her consulting firm for practice owners, and the upcoming LUX Academy, with a candid warning about why operating in legal gray areas can cost owners far more than it earns them. This episode is for med spa owners who want to grow without compromising their ethics, and for anyone wondering whether a non-provider can build a successful practice from scratch. In this episode: How living in Japan and her own experience with Botox led a stay-at-home mom to open LUX Med Spa in April 2024Why she built her practice around trust and affordability after her own negative experiences with pushy, upsell-driven med spasWhy every new client gets a consultation before any procedure, and how it protects both compliance and patient safetyHow she grew for two and a half years with no paid SEO or digital adsThe organic marketing tactics that worked: building her own website, posting unedited before-and-after photos, and hosting giveback days in exchange for photos and local referralsWhy she avoids fake AI-generated posts and low-value content spamWhy strict adherence to state rules, scope of practice, and medical oversight (including a visible medical director) is non-negotiable, and the risks of operating in gray areas Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ LUX Med Spa: https://www.luxmedspasarasota.com/ LUX|WINK: https://luxwinkconsultants.squarespace.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ LUX Med Spa: https://www.instagram.com/luxmedspasrq LUX|WINK: https://www.instagram.com/lux_wink/

At 21, Kara Roberts was in nursing school when a hit-and-run accident nearly took her life. She walked away with multiple spinal fractures, a shattered pelvis, and a traumatic brain injury. What she didn't walk away from was the calling that experience gave her. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Kara Roberts, nurse practitioner and founder of Áine Healthcare, opens up about the accident that changed everything, the grueling hours she worked to build her practice from nothing, and the philosophy that now drives how she treats every patient who walks through her doors. This episode is perfect for anyone building something from scratch, working through their own hard chapter, or looking for proof that the worst moments don't have to define you. In this episode: How surviving a near-fatal car accident at 21 shaped Kara's approach to patient careWhy she built Áine Healthcare on a cash-based, insurance-free model without sacrificing accessibilityThe strategy behind launching with telehealth before opening two physical locationsWhat it took to work up to 400 hours a month for nearly two years to self-fund her practiceHer ongoing work in the cardiothoracic ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital and what it taught her about critical careHer role as secretary for AmSpa's Arizona chapter and how she supports the local provider community Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Áine Healthcare: https://ainehealthcare.com/ Join AmSpa: https://www.americanmedspa.org/benefits/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Áine Healthcare: https://www.instagram.com/aine.healthcare Kara Roberts: https://www.instagram.com/kara.roberts.np/ AmSpa Arizona Chapter: https://www.instagram.com/amspa.arizona.chapter/

Most med spa owners went to school for aesthetics or medicine, not business. So when it comes to marketing, scheduling, payroll, and payments, they're often left guessing, and guessing gets expensive. Skya Jones is the Sr. MedSpa Education Manager and in-house MedSpa Consultant at Boulevard, where she sits at the intersection of industry strategy, customer education, and experience design, partnering with internal teams and medspa operators nationwide to build the systems and culture that turn good spas into unforgettable ones. With nearly a decade of experience in medical aesthetics and beauty, she has managed and consulted across medspa and retail beauty businesses, and is a recognized speaker and contributor passionate about advancing the conversation around growth, retention, and operational excellence. At the core of everything she does is a simple belief: the most powerful thing a medspa can invest in is the client experience. This conversation covers how Boulevard's platform was built by industry veterans sitting at real front desks, and how features like their new AI receptionist and revenue-protecting scheduling tools are changing the way med spas operate. In this episode: Why med spa owners often feel overwhelmed by daily operations, logistics, and marketing, and how their training didn't prepare them for itHow Boulevard's education team, built from salon, barbershop, and spa veterans, works directly with clients and Boulevard's product teams to solve real problemsWhy Boulevard's founders built the platform by sitting at front desks and working alongside assistants and payroll managersWhy the platform automatically reorders services to prevent scheduling errors, like booking a facial too soon after a neurotoxin treatmentWho Boulevard is actually built for, and why it becomes a stronger fit once a med spa grows past one room or adds a second providerWhat med spas can expect from Boulevard's data migration process when switching over from another platform Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Boulevard: https://www.joinblvd.com/ Get a Boulevard Demo: https://www.joinblvd.com/get-a-demo Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Boulevard: https://www.instagram.com/joinblvd

Most people fear starting over. Natalie Galanin has done it three times. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Natalie Galanin, owner of Resurface Studio in Sitka, Alaska, shares how she went from studying marine science on the Big Island to becoming one of Alaska's most in-demand estheticians.  Natalie opens up about what it took to start over in a state with far stricter licensing rules than Hawaii, how those restrictions actually led her to a specialty she loves, and why holistic, lifestyle-driven skincare has become the backbone of her business. She also gets into the realities of running a studio in a town that swings from nearly 3 million tourists to a winter ghost town, and why she believes authenticity, not polish, is what actually grows a client base on social media. This episode is for anyone who's had to rebuild from scratch, question the rules they were taught, or figure out how to build a loyal clientele in an unconventional market. In this episode: Natalie's path from marine science student in Hawaii to full-time estheticianBuilding and relocating her first studio in Hawaii, and the lessons learned from starting over in a new neighborhoodThe personal loss that brought her back to Sitka, Alaska, and how quickly her books filled up once she reopenedThe surprising differences between Hawaii's and Alaska's licensing restrictions for estheticiansHow losing access to microneedling and dermaplaning led her to specialize in acne through Face Reality certificationHer holistic approach to skin health, including diet, stress, sleep, and Alaska's common vitamin D deficienciesWhy authentic, personal content outperforms product-focused posts on social media Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Resurface Studio: resurfacestudio.co Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Resurface Studio: https://www.instagram.com/resurfacestudio/?hl=en

She lost her husband, had nothing left, and went back to work two days later. Not because she was fine. Because she had a daughter watching. Brandie Henderson did not build Morph Aesthetics from a place of comfort or stability. She built it from the wreckage of sudden loss, driven by the kind of clarity that only comes when you have no other choice. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Brandie shares the story behind one of Scottsdale's most recognizable aesthetic practices, what it cost her to get there, and why the name Morph means exactly what she intended it to. This one is honest, personal, and for anyone who has ever had to build something from a place of loss. In this episode: How unexpected widowhood became the catalyst for building Morph Aesthetics and what those first days looked likeWhy she went back to work two days after losing her husband and what kept her moving forwardThe meaning behind the name Morph and what metamorphosis represents in her own life and careerHow she structured her practice around complete financial self-reliance and why she refuses to depend on outside investors or other providersWhat her role as an Allergan trainer involves and what she focuses on when teaching other injectorsWhy she believes authentic connection during consultations is her greatest clinical strengthThe training program she built for new nurses and why she thinks the industry's standard education is not enough Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Morph Aesthetics: https://morphaesthetics.com/ Training Courses: https://morphaesthetics.com/nurse-training-course/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Morph Aesthetics: https://www.instagram.com/morph_aesthetics/ Brandie Henderson: https://www.instagram.com/brandie_henderson_aesthetics/

Most med spa owners know how to build a beautiful client experience. Far fewer know what their numbers are actually telling them. Jaci North is a CPA and fractional CFO who works inside multiple med spas at once, and she has seen the same pattern repeat itself: talented, driven owners who are quietly terrified of their own financials. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Jaci breaks down why that fear is costing practices real money, and what it looks like to replace avoidance with a financial system that actually works for growth. If you have ever closed your bookkeeping software before the numbers could stress you out, this episode is for you. In this episode: What a fractional CFO actually does and why it is changing how small med spas access financial expertiseHow to understand gross profit, operational profit, and what the "job" of profit really is inside your businessWhy financial mindset matters as much as financial literacy, and how to stop avoiding your own dataThe levers med spa owners can pull to improve margins without burning out their teamsWhy Jaci treats marketing as an investment and what trackable ROI actually looks like Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ North & Ivy: https://northandivy.com/ Grounding Point Assessment: https://northandivy.com/grounding-assessment Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Jaci North: https://www.instagram.com/jacinorth/

Most injectors learn anatomy from a textbook. Adriana Medeiros learned it from a cadaver lab, and she will tell you there is no comparison. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Adriana Medeiros walks through her path from med-surge and pediatric dialysis to aesthetics, what it took to open her own practice after NP school, and why she believes aesthetic medicine demands the same level of rigor as any other clinical specialty. She also opens up about cadaver lab training and the anatomical realities that textbooks simply cannot prepare you for. This episode is for every injector who got into aesthetics because they genuinely care about patients and every practice owner trying to build something that lasts. In this episode: How a career spanning med-surge, acute care, and pediatric dialysis shaped her approach to aestheticsThe "unreasonable hospitality" philosophy behind her practice and what it looks like in actionThe follow-up facial program that grew her businessWhy she invested in cadaver lab training and what studying real human anatomy revealed that no course could replicateThe argument she makes for treating aesthetics with the same seriousness as any other branch of medicineWhat she hopes her children take away from watching her build something from nothing Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Lux Lab Aesthetics: https://luxlabaesthetics.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Lux Lab Aesthetics: https://www.instagram.com/luxlabaesthetics

Most people assume laser hair treatments and permanent hair removal are the same thing. According to electrologist and business owner Kristi Kay, they're not even close. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Kristi Kay, owner of Electrolysis & Co., discusses the often misunderstood world of permanent hair removal, the science behind electrolysis, and why it remains the only FDA-recognized method of permanent hair removal. The conversation expands beyond hair removal into one of the fastest-growing areas of aesthetic medicine: hair restoration. Kristi explains how Electrolysis & Co. approaches hair loss through comprehensive consultations, lab testing, and advanced technologies like TED Hair Restoration.  This episode is packed with practical information for anyone considering hair removal or looking for answers about thinning hair before it's too late to intervene. In this episode: Why electrolysis remains the only FDA-recognized method of permanent hair removalThe biggest differences between electrolysis and laser hair reductionWhat the electrolysis process actually looks like and what patients can expectCommon misconceptions about permanent hair removalWhy early intervention is critical when it comes to hair lossHow hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, COVID, and GLP-1 medications can contribute to hair thinningWhat patients should know before starting a hair restoration journey Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Electrolysis & Co.: https://www.electrolysisandco.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Electrolysis & Co.: https://www.instagram.com/electrolysisandco/

Success in aesthetics isn't just about technique, business strategy, or social media. According to Nina Traster, it starts with loving what you do. In this episode of Behind the Needle, Mike sits down with Nina Traster, physician assistant and owner of iConcierge Med Spa in St. Petersburg, Florida, to discuss the role passion has played in her career. From working full-time in family medicine while building her aesthetics practice on nights and weekends to growing a thriving business of her own, Nina shares why genuine excitement for the work has been the driving force behind her success. This episode is for anyone building a career, growing a business, or searching for work that energizes rather than drains them. In this episode: How Nina balanced family medicine and aesthetics while building her business from the ground upThe moment she decided to transition into aesthetics full-timeWhy loving your work is one of the best defenses against burnoutThe benefits of a patient-centered, concierge-style practice modelHow she manages a high-volume schedule while maintaining quality patient careThe systems, preparation, and delegation strategies that keep her practice running smoothlyWhy continuous education is essential in the rapidly evolving aesthetics industryHer advice for new injectors looking to grow their skills and confidenceWhy staying focused on your own patients and your own journey matters more than social media competition Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with iConcierge: https://iconciergemedspa.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ iConcierge Medspa: https://www.instagram.com/iconcierge_medspa/

Long before she became a nurse practitioner, Brittany Bunjovac was the kid leading a protest for healthier school lunches.  That same passion for understanding the connection between nutrition, wellness, and long-term health eventually led her into aesthetics, hormone optimization, and preventative medicine. In this episode, Brittany shares how a serious complication from a nose filler treatment sparked her interest in aesthetic medicine, why she pursued becoming a nurse practitioner to gain more autonomy in patient care, and how she built BBUN Beauty Injectables and Wellness around a philosophy of treating root causes instead of chasing symptoms. In this episode: How Brittany's childhood passion for nutrition shaped her career path into wellness medicineWhy she left traditional nursing behind to become a nurse practitioner and business ownerThe difference between reactive healthcare and proactive wellness careHow she helps patients uncover root causes instead of simply treating symptomsHer approach to hormone optimization and why "normal" lab values don't always mean optimal healthThe personal hormone challenges she faced and how they impacted her physically and mentallyThe growing popularity of peptides and the risks associated with purchasing them online without medical supervisionThe role of aesthetics within a larger wellness and longevity strategy Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with BBUN Beauty: https://www.bbunbeauty.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ BBUN Beauty: ​​https://www.instagram.com/bbunbeauty_aesthetics_wellness/ Brittany Bunjovac: https://www.instagram.com/bbunbeauty_fnpinjector

She turned a front-row seat to plastic surgery into a thriving injecting career, and now she is one of the most education-driven aesthetic providers in Southern Arizona. Megan Mallory started in aesthetics in 2013 as an aesthetician, became a laser technician after moving to Arizona, and eventually went back to school to become an RN. Now she runs Canvas Skin Clinic in Oro Valley as a full-time injector and business owner, closing in on her Nurse Practitioner degree with about six months left. She does all of this as a mom of three, with her husband in her corner. What drives Megan is a belief that most patients are skipping the most important step. Before the filler, before the laser, before any of it -- the skin has to be ready. Her whole practice is built around that idea, and this conversation gets into why she thinks the aesthetic industry too often puts the cart before the horse, what it actually takes to build a treatment plan that lasts, and how real patient education changes outcomes in ways that no single in-office treatment ever could. In this episode: Why Megan built her entire practice around a "skin first" philosophy and what it actually means to prime the canvas before you ever pick up a syringeThe real difference between medical-grade skincare and what is on the shelf at the drugstore, and why it matters more than most patients realizeThe conversation she has with almost every new patient about what their at-home routine looks like and how that shapes everything that comes afterHow she thinks about sequencing treatments and why rushing a patient into injectables before their skin is ready can actually work against the resultHow she approaches treatments in the Arizona summer heat, which lasers she pauses on and which she keeps running, and why patients with melasma or deeper skin tones need extra consideration in high-heat monthsWhere she sees Canvas Skin Clinic going after graduation, and the vision for expanding into integrative, holistic medicine without losing the intimate feel her patients count onWhat post-care protocols tell you about a provider before you ever sit in their chair Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Canvas Skin Clinic: https://canvasskinclinic.com/team/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Canvas Skin Clinic: https://www.instagram.com/canvasskinclinic/ Megan Mallory: https://www.instagram.com/megmalloryaesthetics/

She started injecting in the middle of a pandemic out of a single rented room, and four years later she was running a five room storefront with a full team and a name everyone in Clark County knows. Jordan Stansbury launched her practice in 2020 and by 2023 knew the brand needed to change. Juicy Aesthetics was born, Clark County took notice, and the votes for best med spa came in two years straight. But behind the recognition is a story about the work, the numbers she was afraid to look at, the tasks she had to let go of, and what it actually takes to build a culture that her team wants to be part of and her clients keep coming back to, all while staying true to who she is. This episode is for anyone building something from scratch and trying to figure out the business side before the business side figures them out. In this episode: Why she rebranded to Juicy Aesthetics and what made her realize the original name was not telling the right storyThe financial metrics she wishes she had understood from the beginning and why she thinks too many new med spa owners are afraid of their own numbersHer take on inventory management and why she advises new owners to resist the pressure to place large orders just to lower the cost per syringeThe mindset shift that came with moving from nurse to business owner and what learning to have honest sales conversations with clients actually requiredHow she recently expanded into hormone replacement therapy and women's health services and why she sees internal wellness as inseparable from aesthetic resultsWhat she has learned about peptides, which ones she trusts, and why she is vocal about the risks of buying unregulated products from unverified sourcesHow Juicy Aesthetics builds the kind of client retention that does not rely on discounts, and the quarterly community events that keep people coming back Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Juicy Aesthetics: https://www.instagram.com/juicymedspa Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Juicy Aesthetics: ​​https://www.instagram.com/juicymedspa Jordan Stansbury: https://www.instagram.com/injectorjuicy/

She found a med spa for sale on a Facebook post, toured it with her husband, and made the decision before they got home. There was no lengthy deliberation. No waiting for the stars to align. Molly Farrabee saw the opportunity, said yes, and figured out the rest on the way. This episode is about the kind of bet that changes everything and the person willing to make it. In this episode: Why going solo was the turning point and what the leap from employee to suite owner taught her about her own valueThe anonymous Facebook post that started everything and how quickly the decision to buy Revive at the Parlor came togetherWhat it looked like to negotiate a bank loan and manage acquisition paperwork while dealing with a serious family emergency at the same timeThe details she obsesses over to create a luxury experience, and why she believes the small things are what clients remember mostWhy her next goal is getting herself out of the treatment room entirely, and what she wants to build once she doesThe mentorship program she wants to launch for new aestheticians and why she feels a responsibility to show the next generation what is actually possible Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with Revive: https://www.reviveatp.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ Revive at the Parlor: ​​https://www.instagram.com/reviveattheparlor/ Molly Farrabee: ​​https://www.instagram.com/molly.method/

Katrina Flowers-Pierie spent years as a Physician Assistant in emergency services and trauma surgery before she ever picked up a syringe for aesthetics. The 24-hour call shifts, the adrenaline, the high-stakes environment — she loved all of it. Until she had kids. Then the math stopped working. So she pivoted. Slowly at first, building medical aesthetics as a side business in 2013 while still working in acute care. Then 2020 hit, everyone started staring at their own faces on Zoom, and what was once a side hustle became LISSÈ Medical Aesthetics. A two-location practice in Gig Harbor and University Place, Washington that does a lot more than injectables. This episode is proof that the most unexpected backgrounds can make for the most well-rounded injectors. In this episode: How a career in trauma surgery shaped Katrina's clinical instincts and why that medical foundation makes her a better aesthetic providerWhat a true one-stop shop actually looks like: injectables, regenerative medicine, wellness, skin care, and advanced laser treatments all under one roofWhy Katrina is fired up about the Sciton Halo and TRL, and how newer laser technology is delivering serious results with a fraction of the old downtimeHer honest take on hormone replacement therapy and why she believes HRT is about a lot more than managing menopause symptomsThe "slow roll" approach she swears by and why she would rather start you on a skin care routine than put you straight under a laserWhy 80% of your results come from what you do at home, and what that means before you spend a single dollar on in-office treatments= Resources + Links Work with Mike, learn more about social media and ads for your MedSpa: https://medspamediagroup.com/ Book with LISSÈ Medical Aesthetics: https://lissemedspa.com/ Follow Mike LeMieux: https://www.instagram.com/mikelemieux/ MedSpa Media: https://www.instagram.com/medspa_media/ LISSÈ Medical Aesthetics: https://www.instagram.com/lisse_medical_aesthetics_/ Katrina Flowers-Piercy: https://www.instagram.com/lisse_pa_katrina_/